Travis Head given Kuldeep Yadav like punishment, kicked out of India T20Is

Australia National Cricket Team opener Travis Head has pulled out of the last two games of the ongoing five-match T20I series against India to focus on red-ball cricket ahead of the much-awaited Ashes 2025-26 series against England at home.

Travis Head will return to represent South Australia in the Sheffield Shield 2025-26, where he will turn up against Tasmania in Hobart next week. This will be Head’s first first-class appearance since Australia’s tour of the West Indies in July.

Travis Head chooses Sheffield Shield over India T20Is to regain form before Ashes

After a lean patch in white-ball cricket, Travis Head is now eager to regain form in red-ball cricket. His top score in the last eight innings across formats has been just 31. Travis Head has been going through a rough patch since his blazing 142 against South Africa in August.

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Now, as the Ashes 2025-26 approaches, Travis Head is preparing for the longest format of the game, the Sheffield Shield 2025-26, by switching to match-ready tactics.

Travis Head joins a growing list of senior Australian players, including Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott, who have also chosen to prepare for the high-profile five-match Test series by turning out for their respective states in the next round of the Sheffield Shield 2025-26.

Australian stars end T20I campaign early to prioritize Ashes preparation

The Australian selectors reportedly left the decision up to Head, and the 31-year-old decided to play ball cricket instead of playing in the T20I series against India alongside teammate Alex Carey for South Australia. The upcoming Shield round will feature nearly the entire Australian Test squad, making it one of the most star-studded domestic weeks in recent times.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will play for New South Wales in a blockbuster clash against Victoria, featuring big names like Starc, Smith, and Nathan Lyon. Scott Boland will lead Victoria’s bowling attack after being rested last week.

Additionally, the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is set to bowl again for Western Australia against Queensland at the WACA Ground after recovering from side soreness, while Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw will look to strengthen their cases for Test spots.

Tanveer Sangha released, Adam Zampa on standby as Australia juggles formats

On the other hand, Tanveer Sangha has been released from the T20 squad to play in the One-Day Cup, while Adam Zampa remains on standby awaiting the birth of his second child. Ben Dwarshuis will rejoin the T20I squad for the remaining two matches against India.

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With the ongoing five-match T20I series now level at 1-1, Australia’s focus is split as the younger guns face India, while the Test veterans shift their attention to the Ashes preparations.

The race for spots in Australia’s Ashes squad is heating up, and the next round of Sheffield Shield games could decide who cuts the first Test in Perth on November 21.

Selectors set to finalize Ashes squad as Beau Webster, Matt Renshaw, and Marnus Labuschagne chase Test spots

The selectors are expected to announce the squad just before the first Test. Allrounder Beau Webster will aim to deliver a strong performance against South Australia to stay in the mix. Webster’s Tasmania teammate Jake Weatherald is also looking to impress.

Even if he isn’t picked straight away, a big performance could put him in line for a call-up later in the series if changes are needed. Queensland’s Matthew Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne will also get their chance when they face Western Australia in Perth from November 11. Both are aiming to find form at just the right time to lock down their Test spots.